Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Ann Hart

To the Editor:

The drive to deport undocumented immigrants, or “illegal aliens,” appears to be motivated largely by financial interests. Consider the implications of the Big Beautiful Bill, which allocated $45 billion to the construction of new detention centers - a staggering 308% increase from 2024.

These Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities are operated by private companies that are compensated based on the number of detainees housed each day. The more individuals detained, the greater the financial gain.

The government’s push focuses on arresting and holding as many people as possible, but the increase in immigration judges - from 700 to just 800 - remains insufficient. Consequently, many detainees are left waiting in these facilities for constitutionally guaranteed hearings, prolonging their confinement and further benefiting contractors.

Contractors also provide meals, health care, and security, but with minimal oversight. When incidents of abuse or violence occur, ICE blames the contractor, while contractors point fingers at ICE in the event of a death. This lack of accountability allows the system to continue unchecked. Without accountability, how do we know these services are provided?

To further support this system, the government is required to hire 10,000 additional ICE officers, necessitating the expansion of the department’s vehicle fleet and the use of private transport services for detainees, including deportation flights. Each of these actions leads to increased spending and profits for private companies.

Private contractors responsible for these detention centers employ lobbyists who make generous contributions to elected officials, creating a cycle of influence and financial reward. As in all things Trump, the elites exploit divisions among citizens for financial gain. Our country, once known as the land of opportunity, is seeing a shift in wealth toward the few, fundamentally altering its character.

Money allocated to ICE takes away from healthcare, SNAP, and Social Security. Ultimately, it is essential to recognize and follow the money to understand the true motives behind these policies.

Ann Hart
Waukon